"O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow,
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know; "
These words by Robert Frost are my favorite way to begin October. My next favorite is to start reading Halloween tales to the children at Hoover. If I don't start with Nikola-Lisa's Shake dem Halloween Bones, there is much disappointment and questions about why among the first and second graders, who love the rhythm and beat of this story of a fairy tale attended Hip Hop Halloween Ball. Silverman's Big Pumpkin is right behind and has become a standard for kindergartners and first graders in the IMC. Tunnell's Halloween Pie and Cazet's The Perfect Pumpkin Pie are favorites for the slightly older children of second and third grade. By fourth grade many of the children wish for something slightly spookier, and I recommend Mary Downing Hahn's ghost stories, especially Wait til Helen Comes and The Old Wllis Place. Wisconsin's own Betty Ren Wright has authored some spooky tales including The Dollhouse Murders and The Ghosts of Mercy Manor. This October, Scare Up some Good Reading!
